Selective telephone system.



H. G. GUYLE.

SELECTIVE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION TILED JAN. 25. 1905.

927,65 1 Patented July 13, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 H. G. GUYLE.

SELECTIVE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 25, 1905.

927,65 1. Patented July 13, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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H. e. GUYLB.

SELECTIVE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

I APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1905. 927, 5 1 Patented July 13, 1909.

3 SHEETB-BHBET 3.

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lllCNltY G. GUYLE, Ol" SARGENT, NEBRASKA.

SELECTIVE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Application filed January 25, 1905.

tems, of which the following isa specilicalimit.

The object. of this invention is to enable a subscriber on a party hne to citectually cut out all phones on that lme except the ones with which conversation is to be had, and to prevent them from cutting in until a predetermined time limit has expired.

The invention consists in the novel features ol construction hereinafter described, pointed out in the claims and shown in the acconmanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic side elevatiou. Fig. 2 is an irre ular section taken through the octagonal lrame carrying springs, the springs and other parts being shown in plan. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views, partly in section, showing the means for locking the spring members above mentioned to the disk, or in contact therewith. Fig. 5 is a partial section through a time wheel and spring arms connected thereto. Fig. 6 is a perspective detail view of a portion of a locking lever. Fig. 7 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation of a call bell generator and parts carried thereby. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the connections between iive stations on the same line.

As the various parts hereinal'tta' described can be arranged in many ways, and may be close together or some distance apart, 1 have shown the assembled devices diagrannnatically only and without attempting to more than suggest their relative positions. The receiver and transmitter may be ol" any type desired and the usual torm ol call bell generator, with two additions hereafter described, are employed. 'With the exception of the receiver and transmitter all of the various parts may be conveniently grouped in one casing. i have also, to avoid confusing the description and drawings by making the same more complicated than necessary, omitted to show the clock mechanism required to drive the various movable narts not electrically operated, as such me ilttlliSlll may he l type and is not claimed by me.

519 tii liltl Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1909.

Serial No. 242,641.

in the drawings A represents the transmitter, provided with a local battery A, a receiver B, having the usual hook lever B. 1 also provide the vibrating call bells C and generator 1), ol the ordinary type and provided with the usual crank handle, gearing, etc. In this call bell box, however, I have added to the ordinary form of generator at pivoted lever .l) which on its upper face carries contact plates 1) and-l), and on its lower l'ace a contact plate D, all insulated from the lever I). it will be understood that the shalt of the usual call bell generator has an inward movement when rung, and the inner end of the shaft bears .on a spring plate I) which is provided with a plate of insulating material, such, for example, as a. facing of hard rubber l)". The insulated facing bears on a spring D which s )ring is provided with a lug or shoulder D which engages the lever l), when the generator crank is forced inward, and the spring plate 1) and spring D aret'orccd rearwardly. When in this position, that. is with the shoulder D in engagement with the lever i), thespring D is always in contact with a contact plate D". I also provide a shaft E on which is secured a stationary metal plate E, and adjacent the plate a revoluble disk E. This disk carries on its periphery a lug E, has embedded in its front face a contact plate F4, and carries on its rear face a cam E A polygonal lrame, shown as octagonal, is carried by a back or base board (i, which may be the back ol the casing int-losing the parts, and this back or base also carries blocks (i and (P, the shaft 1*) being carried by the block ii. To the frame F is connected the ends of a plurality of lead springs whose free ends rest adjacent the disk 1), and normally out of contact with the same, (except one referred to later). These springs F it have shown as numbered consecutively from 1 and 5, but it will be understoml that there may he as many of these springs as desired, and that the number is lixed by the number of telephones on the party line. A spring i is also carried by the frame i and normally presses against the disk E and when the disk is in its normal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the spring i is in contact with the outer end of a contact plate F, which in turn contacts with a brush or trailer 1* and in Fig. 2 Elaine shown the simplest form of construction which is to form the contact plate F of the bolt which secures the trailer F to the disk E the spring resting on the bolt head. The metal trailer or brush F is always in contact with the stationary contact plate E.

Spring hook members F, carried by the board G, are adapted to engage and lock the leaf springs F into engagement with the disk lijflwithout preventing the rotation of the lb \I.

The block G supports a shaft ll on which is arranged a disk H and bolts or other suitable conductors H and H are passed transversely through the disk II and are engaged respectively by pairs of springs J and J, the springs J engaging opposite ends of the conductor H and the springs J engaging the ends of the conductor H These springs are normally in contact with these conductors and, when the disk is rotating, in sliding contact with o )posite faces of the disk, which is of a suitable insulating material.

A stop pin H rejects laterally from the side of the disk 1 and a pivoted bell crank adjacent the disk is adapted to have an armature arm J attracted by a magnet I also placed near the disk H. The disk H is also provided with a lug ll projecting from its periphery. At the upper end of an arm J, which is the remaining arm ol the bell crank, is placed a roller J. A lever .l is pivoted at one end upon a pivot pin J carried by a part to be referred to hereafter, and is provided with a shoulder J adapted to normally engage the pin H" of the disk ll. The disk E carries a release roller E normally bearing on the under face of the lever J". An end of a horizontally movable bar ll normally engages the lug H and holds the disk H against rotation. The bar H has a projection 11 which extends into the path of the roller E carried by the disk E and which projects beyond the periphery of the disk E and a spring H returns the bar H to its normal osition,'from which it is forced by the reease roller E once during each rotation of the disk E.

To look and unlock the disk E I provide a locking lever L pivoted on the pin J which is carried by any suitable frame, omitted to show the other parts, and a magnet K; the lever L having at its forward end a bifurcated portion formed of the parallel members L etween which is journaled a roller L and adjacent its rear end an armature plate L and a counterweight, adjustable, L

Connection with the main line wire Q is made nornially through a lever O pivoted at one end and having a spring 0 which normally holds the lever up or in .a horizontal position, so that contact plates P and P" are in engagement with the terminals of certain wires hereafter mentioned, one of which, Q is a branch of the line wire Q. The lever 0 also carries a contact )late P and intermediate its ends a block rests on the lever O. Adjacent each end of the lever are vertical rods 0 and a bar 0 rests on the block 0 and--its ends being perforated, slides on the bars The spring 0 is strong enough to support not only the lever but also the bar and block.

The clock mechanism, (not shown) which furnishes the power for rotating the disks l5 and II, has attached thereto the weights 0 such as are usually used in clock mechanism run by weights, the weights being supported by the cables 0. When the clock mechanism runs down the weights will rest upon the bar 0 and either of the weights is sufficient to depress theleverO and break contact at the plates P and l and make contact at the plate P This cuts out the mechanism located at the station where the mechanism of the clock has run down, and throws the bell only in circuit between the main line and ground, so that the bell will ring, but no messages can be sent or received until the clock mechanism is wound.

Assuming that the parts are in their normal positions, and that the clock mechanism at all the stations upon a line Q are wound up, the disks E' and ll will tend to turn or rotate it left free, but at each station the disk E is held by the lever L in engagement with the shoulder E, and the disk ll held against rotation by the bar ll in engagement with the shoulder II. In describing the operation of the device the disk ll, to distinguish it from the disk E will be termed the time wheel as the time occupied by one rotation of this disk, when free to rotate, determines the duration of time during which the party calling on any phone on the line will have exclusive control of the line. The wiring circuits will also be best explained in connection with the description of the operation.

As has been stated the s ring F is in permanent sliding contact wit 1 the disk E and one of the springs F is also in normal contact with the said disk, being the spring of the home station. For example if the diagram shown in Fig. 1 is considered as taken as representing station or phone number one, then the spring F bearing the numeral 1 will be in permanent engagement with the disk E the same as the spring F At phone number 2 the spring bearing the numeral 2 would remain in contact with the disk E the remaining s rings F being pressed down and se- CUI6( by means of the spring hooks F as it was desired to communicate with the various stations bearing numerals similar to those borne by the leaf s rings F.

In the description of t e operation and in the drawings Fig. 1 is shown as re resenting station or phone number four antlht will be noted that, as th spring remains conact with the disk a spring hook F is not shown in connection with this particular leaf spring 1*.

The lirst step in the operation is to select the number of the phone or the party to whom a call is to be sent, and then press down that particular spring, as for exa-nplc it .\'o. 2 is to be called,spring F numbered 2 is pressed down, and it will be understood that the springs are actuated by the usual push buttons which will be arranged in the front face of the casing carrying the device, and will not require any description, and as the spring is pressed into engagement with the disk l l" it is locked by one of the spring hooks or fasteners l Mention has already been made of the conductor E embedded in the front face of the disk E. This conductor or contact plate is connected by a wire X to the bolt or conductor F, and the plate E will be brought under the inner end of a leaf spring pressed downward by means of the push buttons when the disk 1 is rotated. The disk E when released makes a complete revolution in a comparz'itive ly short time and to insure ringing the bell C at the called station the crank on generator D must be continuallv turned during the rotation of disk E2, and if a second or third ring is desired the generator 1) crank is turned after the disk has made a complete revolution. To restore the spring 1*" at the calling station which had been depressed and is locked in contact with disk E by hook F while the line is being used, said hook I is simply forced back out of engagement with spring F by hand.

As previously stated Fig. 1 represents station or phone number four. To call station number-two, the spring F bearing the figure 2 is depressed, which locks it in contact with the face of disk E in the path of contact plate E. Then the crank of generator D is rotated generating a current which passes out from one pole through the armature shaft through spring I)", conductor T, contact plate. 1), comluctors T and T to spring F and spring l" bearing the numeral 2; from spring F the current passes through contact I trailer 1*, disk E shaft E, conductor R, springs J, J, conductor It, contact plate P, conductor Q, andleaving station number four out on main line Q, entering station number two through conductor Q passes through contact plate P conductor R, springs J, J, conductor ll, shaft E, disk E,trailer F contact F, spring F conductor through the coil of magnet K, thence through con ductor Q to round, from whence it passes through conductor W at station number four, spring D and thence through the frame and to the opposite pole of the generator D. At the same time a portion of the current passes from conductor T at station number four (the calling station) through conductor T the coil of magnet K, conductor Q to ground, thence through 0011- ductor W etc, to the opposite pole of the generator D; and a portion passes through all the stations connected on main line Q,- over the same circuit that was traced above through station number two. When the current passes through the coil of magnet K, said n'iagnet is energized, attracts armature lr" aud'lifts lever L out of engagement of extension E on disk E". Thus the disks at all the stations on the line are released at the same instant, and they are timed to rotate in unison.

It will be remembered that at station two (the called station) the spring F bearing the numeral 2 is always in contact with disk 11*, and now as disk E rotates in unison at all the stations the plate E" will contact with springs F bearing numerals 2 at stations number four and two at the same time; this connection permits the current from generator D at station number four to pass from spring F, through plate E wire X, contact F trailer F, disk E, thence over the circuit previously traced out from station four over main line Q into station number two through conductor Q etc., as previousl, traced to disk E, thence through trailer l contact F, wire X, plate E spring F, conductor 8, contact plate D, (the lever D at station number two having been dropped by the first movement of disk 1 1 conductor S contact plate P, conductor Q having the bell C which is rung and thence to ground from whence it passes through conductor W etc. back to the generator D.

A portion of the current leaves conductor S and passes through conductor S, springs J, J, conductor U, coil of magnet 1, conductors J and Q to ground from whence it passes through conductor N ete., back to generator D. When the current passes through the coil of magnet I, said magnet is energized and attracts armature arm J, moving the arm J and roller J out from under the lever J, allowing said lever to drop so as to bring the lugJ in the path of pin 1] and prevent the disk H from rotating.

At the calling station, number four, the disk II is locked against rotation in the same manner, the magnet I being energized by the current'passing from generator D, through spring D conductor S, plate D (the lever I) being raised at this station) conductors S S, springs J, J, conductor U, coil of magnet I, conductors U and Q" to ground and thence through conductor W etc, to generator D.

Some time during the revolution of disk E and preferably a short time before it makes a complete revolution, the roller E contacts with extension H and moves the bar H out of engagement with lug H and permits the disk H to rotate at all stations Cir on the line except the one calling and the one called which are looked as above described.

As the disks E rotate the cams E pass out from under the levers M, at all stations,

T and the levers D therefore fall at all stations, but the ringing station where the inward thrust of the generator shaft has caused it to be locked as before described.

As the various disks continue to revolve the rollers E engage the projection H on the bar H and release the time wheels which commence rotating at all but the calling station where the Wheel is held by the shoulder or lug J on the lever J and at the station called where the time wheel is also locked. At the stations not called the time Wheels make one rotation after the bars H are actuated by the projection H contacting with the rollers E" of the disks E The disks E rotate but once for each call and are relocked by the bifurcated portion L being again brought into engagement with the shoulder E, and the spring H restores the bar l-l at each station, so that as the time wheels at the stations not called complete their revolution the lugs engage the bars H", and again lock them. The time wheels are designed to make one revolution during any desired period of time, two minutes, three, or live minutes, as may be desired, and-during this time no connection with the main line Q can be had by the stations not called, and only the sending and receiving stations are connected, as at those stations the time wheels have not rotated, and connection through the springs J and J have not been broken.

At the station called, number 2, the first impulse will be received over wires Q, ll, springs J, wire R, the plate E and trailer F l spring F, wire T, magnet K, and back to ground through wire Q energizing the magnet ii and releasing the disk E which commences rotation. The second impulse received at the station called would be through the same circuit as far as the conductor F, and thence through wire X the plate E as it passes under spring 2, through spring 2, wire S it will be noted that the home spring bearing the number of the station is the spring to which wire S is connected, plate D the lever l) having fallen at this station, through wire S, S, springs J, U, magnet l, wire U, and to ground by wire Q". The magnet l attracts the armature J and the time wheel is locked by the lever J in the same manner as at the calling station.

The wires V, Y, V V and V belong to the talking circuit and are a part of the telephone proper. The generator circuit is complete by the wire W which connects the spring plate l) to the ground,'theconnection from the plate i) being through the shaft of the generator as usual.

and

. earner Assuming that stations number four and two are connected, the talking or message would be transmitted over the following circuit; from the instrument at station number four through wire V battery A, wires V, V it, R, R, springs J, J, wire it, plate P wires Q and Q out of station number four and into station number two through wire Q, )late 1 Wire li, spring J, J, Wires R R it", V and V battery A, wire V through the instrument at station number two, through wires V and Q to ground thence through wires Q and V back to the instrument at station number four.

When the clock mechanism runs down the weights will force down the lever O and the circuits formed through the plates P and P will be broken, and the ihone cut out. When the lever is down the bell will be placed across the line, circuit being through wires Q, plate l via wire Q wire through Q and the bell magnets, and to ground through Q The bells will ring therefore with every impulse of current sent over the line, but no messages can be received or sent until the clock mechanism is wound up.

It will be remembered that at the calling and called stations the time wheels are locked; that at the calling statio only the lever l) does not fall; that all phones are cut from the line while their time wheels are rotating; and that the disks rotate simultaneously at all the stations on the line. It will also be noted that the locking lever J is engaged and first lifted by the release roller E and the arm J 3 drops by gravitythrough a slight fall of the arm J into position under the outer end of the lever and the roller J holds the lever J up until the magnet l is again energized and the arm J 2 drawn to the magnet throwing the arm J and its roller from under the lever J allowing it to fall and lock the time wheel H.

On party lines in common use, it is necessary to distinguish which party is called, by having a certain number of rings for each party because all the bells on the party line are rung every time any party on that articular line is called. This mode of 'ca ing is very objectionable in that, every party on the line must heed the rings carefully to determine if they are being called; and every party on the line is notified that some one on the line is being called, and any party on the line who desires to listen to anothers conversation can do so.

Although I have not attempted to illustrate it, it is clear to any one versed in the art to which this invention pertains, that the mechanism contained in the )ol enal frame l with magnet hi can very easily be connected up on a party line where all'the parties on the line are always called from one station, as from central only, to serve for calling any one party on the line without ringing any other partys' bell. Of course the other mechanisms as the time wheels and cutouts may be omitted when thus used, the talking circuits would remain just as they are at present on party lines. This arrangement would obviate the possible confusion of several talking on the same party line at the same time, since no signal or ring is given to any party exce t the one arty, called.

Having thus ully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a selective telephone system, a plurality of rotatable disks, one at each station, a plurality of time wheels adapted to rotate once in a given eriod of time, one at each station, means or locking the disks and time wheels against rotation, means for rotating the disks and time wheels, means for simultaneously releasing all of the disks on a given line, and means for simultaneously releasing all of said time wheels except those at the calling and receiving stations, the said time wheels breaking circuit during the period of their rotation.

2. In a selective telephone system, rotatable disks arranged 'at a plurality of stations, a bell circuit connected through the said disks when stationary and between any desired station and a calling station during rotation, means whereby a call releases the disks, means for synchronously rotating the disks, a time wheel disk at each station arranged in the talking circuit and adapted to complete the same when stationary, means for automatically locking said disks against rotation at the calling and called stations, means for releasing, and means for rotating, the time wheels at all other stations upon the party line.

, 3. A party line telephone system comprising a plurality of telephones having call bells, the talking circuit being formed through conductors carried by a rotatable disk adaptedto make one rotation in a given period of time, of disks at each station adapted to be rotated and when stationary forming a portion of the calling circuit, means for rotating the disks, means for locking the disks against rotation, means for unlocking all of said disks when a current is passed over the calling circuit, and means carried by the disks for throwing the calling and the called station into circuit through the call bells once during the rotation of the disks, all other stations being thrown out of the calling circuit during said rotation.

4. A telephone system of the kind described comprising at each station a disk arranged in the calling circuit, a time wheel adapted to rotate at a predetermined speed arranged in the talking circuit, means for locking the disk and the time wheel against rotation, means for rotating the disk and time wheel, a magnet arranged in the call bell circuit adapted to unlock the disk when a current is passed through the call bell circuit, means for automatically locking the time wheel at said station against rotation when the call is set from or received by the said station, and means for automatically unlocking the said time wheel when the all is from and to another station, the talking circuit and the calling circuit being broken at the said station during the rotation of the said time wheel.

5. In a system of the kind described, the combination with a call bell generator, a disk adapted 'to rotate, a lever adapted to lock the disk against rotation, an electro magnet, said magnet being arranged in the call bell circuit and adapted to attract the lever and release the disk, a cam carried by the disk, a lever carried by the generator and adapted to be released by said cam and fall by gravity, a rotatable disk arranged in the talking circuit and normally stationary,'said circuit being broken during rotation of the disk, an electro-magnet, an armature adapted to be attracted by said magnet and lock the time wheel against rotation, and means whereby rotation of and inward movement of the generator shaft locks the lever carried by the said generator against falling.

6. A selective telephone system comprising a plurality of stations on a party line, a plurality of rotatable disks at each station, conductors in sliding contact with said disks, conductors carried by the disks, separate means for rotating each disk at each station, pivoted levers adapted to lock the disks against rotation, a calling circuit established through one of said disks, a talking circuit. established through the other disk, said circuits being broken during rotation of the disks, means for releasing the disk in the call ing circuit at each station during a call from any station, means for locking the disks in the talking circuit at the calling and receiving stations against rotation and simultaneously releasing the said disks at the other stations, a lever in the generator call bell circuit adapted to complete said circuit in its normal position, and means for releasing said lever and permitting the. same to fall by gravity and break the call bell circuit on rotation of the disk in the call circuit at all stations except the one calling.

7. In a device of the class described a rotatable disk provided with an electrical contact, means for rotating said disk, means controlled by a magnet for normally prevent-.

ing said disk from rotating, a series of springs arranged to contact with said electrical contact, one of said springs normally in contact with said electrical contact and forming a unit in a party line circuit, means whereby another of said springs contacts with said electrical contact during the rotation of said disk and means whereby any of the remainingsprings can be brought in contact with said electrical contact during the rotation of said disk.

8. In a device of the class described, a series of rotatable disks at different stations connected by a party line, each provided with two electrical contacts, means for rotating said disks in unison, means controlled by magnets for preventing the rotation of said disks, and means whereby any one of said disks can be electrically connected to any of the remaining disks, one of said contacts completing a circuit through the coil of a magnet, and the other of said contacts completinIg a talking circuit.

9. n a selective telephone system, a plurality of rotatable switch members, one at each station, a plurality of rotatable time members, adapted to rotate once in a given eriodof time,-one at each station, means for ocking the said switch members and time members against rotation, means for rotating the said switch members and time members, means for simultaneously releasing all of said time members except those at the calling and receiving stations, the said members breaking circuit during the period.

.10. In a selective telephone system, rotatable switch members arranged at a plurality of stations, a bell circuit connected through the said switch members when stationary and between any desired station and a calling station during rotation, means whereby a call releases the switch members, means for synchronously rotating the switch members, a time member at each station arranged in the talking circuit and adapted to complete the same when stationary, means for automatically locking said time member against rotation at the calling and called stations, means for releasing and means for rotating thetime members at all other stations upon the party line.

11. Aparty line tele hone system comprising a plurality of tele hones having call bells, the talking circuit being formed through conductors carried by a rotatable switch member adapted to make one rotation in a given period of time, of time members at each station adapted to be rotated and when stationary forming a portion of the calling circuit, means for rotating the said members, means for locking the same against rotation, means for unlocking all of the said switch and time members, except one on each communicating station when a current is passed over the calling circuit, and means carried by I the members for throwing the calling and the called stations into circuit through the call bells once during the rotation of the members, all other stations being thrown out of the calling circuit during said rotation.

12. A telephone system of the kind described comprising at each station a rotatable switch member arranged in the calling circuit, a rotatable time member adapted to rotate at a predetermined speed, arranged in the talking circuit, means for locking the switch member and the time member against rotation, means for rotating the switch member and time member a magnet arranged in the call bell circuit adapted to unlock the switch member, when a current is passed through the call bell circuit, means for automatically locking the time member at said station against rotation when the call is sent from or received by the said station, and means for automatically unlocking the said time member when the call is from and to another station, the talking circuit and the calling circuit being broken at the said station during the rotation of the said time member.

13. In a system of the kind described, the combination with a call bell generator, switch member adapted to rotate, a lever adapted to lock the switch member against rotation, an electric magnet, said magnet being arranged in the call bell circuit and adapted to attract the lever and release the switch member, a cam carried by the switch 4 member, a lever carried b the generator and adapted to be released y said cam and fall by gravity, a rotatable time member arranged in the talking circuit andnormally stationary, said circuit being broken during rotation of the time member, an electromagnet to lock the time member against rotation, and means whereby rotationof' an inward movement of the generator shaft locks the lever, carried by the said generator, against falling.

14. A selective telephone system comprising a plurality of stations on a party line, a plurality of rotatable members at each station, conductors in sliding contact with said members, conductors carried by the members, separate means for rotating each member at each station, pivotedlevers adapted to lock the members against rotation, a calling circuit established through one of said.

members, a talking circuit established through the other member, said circuits being broken during rotation of the members, means for releasing the member in the calling circuit at each station during a call from any station, means for locking the other member in the talking circuit at the calling and receiving stations against rotation and simultaneously releasing the said members at the other stations, a lever in the generator call bell cirmeans controlled. by a magnet for normally preventing said member from rotating, a series of springs arranged to contact with said electrical contact, one of said springs normally in contact with said electrical contact and forming a unit in a party line circuit, means whereby another of said springs contacts with said electrical contact during the rotation of said member and means whereby any of the remaining s rings can it be brought in contact with sai electrical contact during the rotation of said member.

HENRY G. GUYLE. Witnesses:

H. A. SHERMAN, F W. SPooNER. 

